Aegina or Αίγινα in Greek is located in the Saronic gulf about 20 miles from Athens between Salamis and Poros to the south. The island is famous for its temple Apfaea, one of three sacred temples of the triangle formed by the Parthenon, the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, and the temple of Afaia. Aegina was long a major rival of Athens, both in antiquity as at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Aegina was was the first capital of Greece after its independence and the young Greek State made its first coins minted there. The island is also the leading producer of pistachios in Greece, and the largest exporter worldwide.
According to tradition it is considered that its name from the nymph Egina, mother of EAC, who was born on the island and was its king.
Aegina has a total surface of 90 square kilometers about, the island is located about twenty kilometres south-west of Athens.
Aegina is shaped like a triangle, with the peak to the south. His greatest length from north-east Cape Tourla to south-east Cape Perdika, is 18.5 km. The island is divided into three regions: a mountain of limestone to the north, a coastal plain to the west and the most fertile area of the island, and the rest of the island to the east has a volcanic geology, The pumice stones were ones the main exports of the island. Methana, a peninsula of Peloponnese is nearby.
The highest peak of Aegina, is Profitis Ilias 531 m with a conical shape.
Apart from the port of Aegina in the west, port of Souvala and Aghia Marina Bay to the north, the island is not perfect for anchorage.
Its vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean scrubland (lawn dry thorny plants pillow), called in Greek phrygana. The old pine forests have almost disappeared to be replaced by oaks, wild olive and cypress trees.
The climate of Aegina is east Mediterranean with mild winters and hot and dry summers.The rainy season in spring is short.
